The MOD has today launched a review into its policy governing women serving in ground close-combat roles. Servicewomen are currently excluded from roles where there is a requirement to deliberately close with and kill the enemy face to face.
This review is required by European Community (EC) Law, which states that the UK Armed Forces are bound to conduct a review every eight years, under the Equal Treatment Directive. The last review was undertaken in 2002 and it concluded that the policy to employ only male personnel in certain close combat roles should remain.
Minister for the Armed Forces, Bob Ainsworth said:
“Women are now serving in more posts on the front line than ever before and their contribution to the Armed Forces is essential.
“This review will include a thorough assessment of women’s roles in recent operations. It will also examine the attitudes of Service women and men and those of the commanders on the ground to assess the potential impact of mixed-gender teams on combat effectiveness. We will take account of all the experience we have gained in Afghanistan and Iraq since the last review to help determine whether our policy should remain the same.”
Women currently serve with bravery and distinction on the front line in many ground combat support roles including Forward Observation Officers, Forward Air Controllers, and as medics. They are, however, precluded from serving in roles with the Royal Marines (General Service), the Household Cavalry, the Royal Armoured Corps, the Infantry, and the RAF Regiment.
Background Information
- The focus of the review will be on the exclusion of women from ground close combat roles. Other roles, such as women in submarines, will not be considered. It is not the intention to re-evaluate work carried out as part of the previous review in 2002 but to build upon it.
The review will comprise:
- A review of recent literature on the effectiveness of mixed gender teams in a combat environment.
- An assessment of women’s roles in recent operations. The review will examine the attitudes of the men and women who have served in Theatre, together with those of the commanders on the ground, in order to assess the potential impact of mixed-gender teams on team cohesion and combat effectiveness.
- Consideration of the experience of other nations in employing women in close combat roles.
- The review will also ensure that the conclusions reached on physiological issues in the Women in the Armed Forces 2002 report remain valid.
- Under UK legislation, the Sex Discrimination Act provides that ‘nothing (in the Act) shall render unlawful an act done for the purpose of ensuring that combat effectiveness of the naval, military or air forces of the Crown.’
